A: How old is the water heater? You will have to call a plumber, but if the water heater is ten years old or older, don't be surprised if he suggests that it may make sense to consider replacing it. If there are a couple of simple things you can try to do yourself, most customer service oriented plumbers (or their knowledgeable telephone staff) will usually suggest them before scheduling a service call.

To locate some reputable plumbers in your area, visit Home Advisor and type "Water Heater" into the search box. Submit a service request for "Repair or Replace a Water Heater" to be matched with the ideal service professional in your area.

by Kathy Maynard, reprinted courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com